三种语言
导读
这是一个鼓舞人心的故事，专门讲给'被大人嫌弃''被说没出息'的孩子听。伯爵的儿子被认为'很笨、什么都学不会'，父亲花大价钱送他求学，他却只学会了三样看起来毫无用处的本领：听懂狗、鸟和青蛙说话。父亲气得要处死他。可故事偏偏让这三样'没用'的学问，一样样派上了大用场：狗语帮他取出了魔法宝藏、救了一方百姓；青蛙的话预言了他的命运；最后他竟当上了教皇。它悄悄告诉孩子：没有哪种真正的学问是白学的，一时看不出用处，不代表它没用。故事结尾还藏着一个可爱的细节：新教皇不识经文，两只白鸽停在他肩上、在他耳边一句句念给他听——在西方绘画里，'耳边的白鸽'正是圣灵启示的经典画面（教皇格里高利一世常被画成有白鸽在耳边口授）。读的时候可以和孩子聊聊：那个被父亲骂'一无所成'的孩子，真的'笨'吗？大人眼里'没用'的东西，会不会其实很有用？
《三种语言》词汇精讲
本故事精选 12 个重点词汇，附中英释义与原文例句，帮助孩子扩展英语词汇量。
Famous and much admired.
著名的；有名望的。
I will give thee into the care of a celebrated master, who shall see what he can do with thee.
我会把你交给一位著名的老师，看他能把你怎么样。
A thing that serves as proof or a sign of something.
标记；凭证；信物。
They cut the eyes and the tongue out of a deer that they might carry them to the old man as a token.
他们带回一只鹿的眼睛和舌头交给老伯爵，作为凭证复命。
A large, strong building built to defend against attack.
堡垒；要塞。
The youth wandered on, and after some time came to a fortress where he begged for a night's lodging.
年轻人继续流浪，不久来到一座要塞，请求留宿一晚。
Serious and immediate danger.
危险；风险；危难。
I warn thee, it is at the peril of thy life, for it is full of wild dogs.
但我警告你，那会有生命危险，因为那里到处是野狗。
A feeling of worry, shock, and discouragement.
沮丧；惊愕；忧虑。
The whole district was in sorrow and dismay because of them, and yet no one could do anything to stop this.
整个地区都为此感到忧虑和沮丧，却没人能阻止这一切。
In a friendly, good-natured way.
友好地；和睦地。
The dogs did not bark at him, but wagged their tails quite amicably around him.
狗并没有朝他狂吠，而是友好地在他身边摇尾巴。
Talk or conversation; the exchange of words.
谈话；言谈；话语。
I have likewise learnt, from their discourse, how that is to be done.
我也从它们的谈话中学会了该怎么做。
Succeeded in doing or completing something.
完成；实现；达成。
The lord of the castle said he would adopt him as a son if he accomplished it successfully.
城堡主人说，如果他能成功办到，就收他为义子。
An area of low, soft, wet land.
沼泽；湿地。
On the way he passed by a marsh, in which a number of frogs were sitting croaking.
途中他经过一片沼泽，许多青蛙正坐在那里呱呱叫。
Thinking deeply and seriously.
沉思的；深思的。
When he became aware of what they were saying, he grew very thoughtful and sad.
当他意识到它们在说什么时，他变得非常深沉和忧伤。
A person who takes over a job or position after someone else.
继任者；接班人。
The Pope had just died, and there was great difficulty as to whom they should appoint as his successor.
那里的教皇刚刚去世，人们正为选谁做继任者而发愁。
Deserving respect, admiration, or a particular thing.
配得上的；值得的；有价值的。
He was undecided, and knew not if he were worthy of this.
他犹豫不决，不知自己是否配得上。
延伸阅读与亲子共读
故事寓意
没有哪种真正的学问是白学的；一时看不出用处，不代表它没用——别小看自己，也别小看'看似无用'的知识。
教育价值
鼓励被低估的孩子建立自信，学会尊重各种知识与才能，明白'有用'常常要等到关键时刻才显现。
家长共读提示
对被说'没出息'或有'冷门爱好'的孩子，这是很好的鼓励故事。可以和孩子聊聊：你有什么别人觉得'没用'、但你很喜欢的本领？
和孩子聊一聊
- 父亲觉得'听懂动物说话'毫无用处，气得要杀掉儿子。可这三样本领后来都救了他。大人眼里'没用'的东西，一定就没用吗？
- 那个被全家说成'笨、学不会'的孩子，你觉得他真的笨吗？他身上有什么被大人忽略了？
- 别人都害怕那座满是野狗的塔，只有他敢进去，还救了大家。是什么让他做到了别人做不到的事？
- 如果你可以听懂一种动物说话，你最想懂哪一种？为什么？
